Gerry Reynolds
Ceist:67 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education if she will allow the retention of the fifth teacher at a school (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - County Leitrim Teacher Retention.
The staffing of a national school is determined by the enrolment in the school on the 30 September of the previous year. This is in accordance with the agreement on staffing made between the Government and the INTO under the Programme for National Recovery. In the case of Scoil Mhuire, Bornacoola, Car-rick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, there were 139 pupils enrolled in the school on 30 September 1989, which warrants a staff of principal plus three assistants for the 1990-91 school year.
The post fourth assistant is to be discontinued with effect from 31 August 1990 due to falling enrolments.
The only exceptions that can be made from the agreed staffing arrangements are in the case of developing schools or where my Department's guidelines on maximum class sizes are being breached. If the school authorities feel that they might qualify under either of these exceptions, my Department will examine the position on receipt of the necessary details.